Watchdog Sophie Raworth returns to show she cut her teeth on

Raworth and Michelle Ackerley will join Matt Allwright and Chris Hollins for the new series, following Anne Robinson’s departure from the BBC consumer show.

Raworth, 47, who also presented Look North in Leeds during her BBC apprenticeship, said her new job is a teenage dream come true, adding: “Watchdog is the reason I got into television. After doing two weeks work experience on the programme when I was 16, I was determined to become a journalist.

“I’ve presented Watchdog Daily and Test House for the past three years. I’m delighted to have been asked to join Matt, Chris and Michelle for the new series. It feels like I’ve come full circle.”

Ackerley, 30, who has previously reported for Watchdog and the Crimewatch Roadshow, said: “I’m passionate about uncovering and investigating new stories and excited to work with Matt, Chris and Sophie. I’m genuinely excited to be part of such a fantastic team.”

Hollins, 44, added: “I’m really pleased Michelle and Sophie are joining the team. I’m sure they’ll find it as rewarding as we do standing up for our viewers by protecting their rights.”

Raworth and Ackerley’s addition follow Robinson’s decision to step down from Watchdog after fronting the programme for 15 years.

“It’s been an honour to be part of the most important consumer show in Britain,” Robinson, 70, said.

Watchdog has been seen on BBC1 since 1980, but for its first five years was a short feature within the magazine programme Nationwide. Its former presenters include Hugh Scully, Nick Ross, Lynn Faulds Wood and her husband, John Stepleton.

The new series starts on October 8 at 8pm on BBC One.